Home > Universities respond to the call to ‘recommit’ to the KE Concordat 

Universities respond to the call to ‘recommit’ to the KEC

In early 2026, 5 years on from the original call to the sector and with an increased significance for KE, engagement, and collaboration across the HE sector, we invited organisations to recommit to the 8 principles that underpin the KE Concordat.  

As funders continue to focus on the impact of research alongside national priorities, it was the right moment to remind everyone about the KEC and its role as a framework to assure stakeholders and beneficiaries of KE of an institution’s approach, as well as to talk about KE in a rounded way, both within HEIs and with external partners.  

Professor Trevor McMillan, former Chair of the KEC Steering Committee, said in our ‘Time to recommit’ webinar:  

“I…still believe that it’s never been more important for universities to show their commitment to society through things like their knowledge exchange. I also think that it’s never been more important for the quality of the work that [KE professionals] do.” 

We have had a positive response to the recommitment call, and we’re delighted to share that the following institutions have renewed their commitment to the principles of the KE Concordat and signalled continued participation in its development and implementation:  

  • Aston University 
  • Canterbury Christchurch University  
  • Coventry University  
  • Lancaster University  
  • Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 
  • Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 
  • Royal Holloway, University of London  
  • St Mary’s University, Twickenham 
  • University of the Arts London  
  • University of Bedfordshire 
  • UCL 
  • University of Chester  
  • University of Lancashire  
  • University of Liverpool
  • University of Sheffield 
  • University of Surrey  
  • University of West London 
  • University of Westminster  
  • University of Wolverhampton 
  • University of York 

Furthermore, we’re delighted that King’s College London has signed up to the KEC as part of its renewed mission and commitment to knowledge exchange. We look forward to hearing more about outcomes from their flagship initiatives that strengthen collaboration and impact with partners locally and globally in due course.  

We know that many universities have been reviewing their KE activities over the past few months as part of HEIF accountability activity, and we hope that this may encourage more organisations to revisit the KEC framework and recommit.  

Additionally, the team at KEUK is strengthening the links between all our Professional Excellence offerings to create a more connected and supportive development journey for Knowledge Exchange professionals. This includes our brand-new Skills Framework digital tool, which we aim to launch in the second half of 2026. Luke Norman, Head of Professional Development at KEUK, sums this approach:  

“Together, our Professional Excellence initiatives: accreditation, the Skills Framework and the Concordat are designed to support KE professionals at every stage of their career, helping individuals, organisations and the wider sector to build capability, confidence and recognition.” 

You can find out more about how the KE Concordat will form part of our overarching approach to Professional Excellence in KE at our annual conference in Newport. For those who can’t make the event, we will follow up with a webinar and dedicated content on our website.